Spring peels off

Mai Quynh on 2. May 2024

As spring arrives, I slowly but surely peeling off. This observation amuses me. I leave my winter jacket behind and reach for the between-seasons jacket next to it instead. To be on the safe side, I take the knitted scarf with me - as far as my neck is concerned I do better safe than sorry. The choice of shoes changes - same style but now it's the pair without the lining. The number of clothing layers decreases, finally no more four layers on top to keep the centre warm. The tights which has protected the lower part of the body from freezing can also be removed. The onion look is wonderful, nevertheless it's very pleasant not to have to put on and take off so many layers.

It's nice to have you, spring - even though you let April do what it wanted to do - which was snow dropping one day eventually.

Little life things. September 2023

Mai Quynh on 8. October 2023

September was golden. For the 5 km run which I had been preparing myself for, I had the best weather I could wish for. It was pleasantly warm, not too hot. I am very happy with the result: I was faster than my last 5 km run a few years ago. So the training paid off!

I also remember many other warm and sunny days. We went for walks in the vineyards with friends and enjoyed wine and white grape juice with the best view. Nevertheless, I notice that winter is coming. Even though the temperatures were pleasant, the sun sets earlier every day, announcing winter. Once I decided against the planned run because the route was too long for the late hour and I wouldn’t have made it back home before dark. But since I didn’t go running at all, one might think I was a bit lazy that day 😛

In September, I took part in a tea ceremony – or rather enjoyed it. The tea master prepared the matcha tea and we just watched and drank very consciously. In everyday life, tea unfortunately remains a quick hot drink but I like to be reminded that tea is much more than that.

Otherwise, September also comprised: a whiteboard finally hanging on the wall, writing a letter to a friend about favourite places in Dresden, getting to know mushrooms. September was full of big and small memories. September was good to me. Nevertheless, now I’m glad that the quieter October has arrived and I have a bit more time. And can do some preparations for the big holiday.

Since I’m posting my monthly review a bit late again, I had the opportunity to read from others‘ monthly review that their autumn was also very golden. Maybe October will just continue where September left off for another while? I hope so!

April 2023

Mai Quynh on 12. May 2023

In fact, there was not only little, but zero going on on the blog. On the other hand, I’ve made good progress with the furnishing of the new four walls *yey*.

Memorable first times

  • Culinary beginning of the month: I already toldyou that I took the train from Mainz to Düsseldorf on the last day of March. Düsseldorf was eventually the destination as we tried out a few Japanese restaurants, on the spot. We were very happy afterwards 😀
  • For the first time I visited the Palmengarten in Frankfurt/Main. When I was researching botanical gardens in Germany, this garden in particular was commented on several times and described as very beautiful. Did the Palmengarten convince me? Yes, as a matter of fact it did. There wasn’t much going on in the outdoor area yet but the Palmengarten in Frankfurt has a lot to offer, so it was easy to have a good time there. By the way, the Palmengarten is not the botanical garden of the city of Frankfurt. They are two different gardens, as I just learned on my research 😀 (Note to self: visit the Botanical Garden in Frankfurt, too).
  • A friend took me to a cabaret event where we laughed heartily.

Something with Photo

The black and white film has become fuller: Friends posed for portrait photos which I really appreciate. Still, it felt a bit awkward to shoot people officially and also consciously. Actually, I already knew that it would be awkward and I could have prepared myself a bit for the situation but that’s not what happened. So I jumped in at the deep end and practiced learning by doing.

Unfortunately, I can’t get the film full at the moment because I managed to break the battery compartment of the camera so badly that it won’t hold anymore. So it’s hard to use the camera at the moment and I’m really sad about that. But I haven’t found an adequate solution yet 🙁

Scanner focus: handicraft

Although I put a lot of things on hold I couldn’t keep my fingers off the handicraft. It felt like compensation work for planning and thinking about the interior for the new home.

Very trendy handicraft this month: Darning socks socks socks! I’ll spare us the photos of darned socks today. Which doesn’t mean they won’t come because I do think my darned socks are pretty cool and I’m always super proud when I can wear socks (more) carefree

I also had a special project: I fulfilled a friend’s wish and started crocheting her a dino (first time I did something like this).

In summary, it was very interesting to see what happens when I prioritise a project/activity so highly in my private life: I’ve managed to get a lot done by my standards. With all my other ongoing (micro)projects as a scanner, it wouldn’t have been as effective. But I also notice that it has somehow … „drained“ me. I couldn’t really resist and did other things on the side eventually. Just not as many as usual höhö

I’m just recovering from the very busy month of April and wish you a wonderful rest of May!